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Post by Nathaniel Bernhardt on Mar 16, 2009 17:05:18 GMT -5
"I'm sure you could've gone over on a cruise, too," Nathaniel remarked with a grin, though he was beginning to realize how serious she was about this no-flying thing. "Sounds like a pretty prestigious school. I think you would've liked Paris, though, and not just for the food."
He nodded in understanding at her mention of things being crazy. "Most work is rarely as 'glamorous' as it seems. Even modeling," he added. "There's a lot of cattiness, weird hours, people that party too much." Girls that were too thin. He got sick of the crazy parties real fast, of the latest supermodel snorting up coke in the bathroom in an effort to keep her focus and maintain her figure.
The pizza that was delivered to their table broke even his focus on the conversation. He quickly grabbed a plate and pulled his own slice onto it, frowning at the long line of cheese. Makoto was exclaiming over the taste, and he found her openness refreshing. "So the great chef can enjoy a casual pizza," he teased her, still trying get the cheese onto the plate. The more he pulled, the more it stretched out, so he began to wrap it around his hand, hoping it would break, but it kept going.
At least Makoto was enjoying the food enough to hopefully not notice that he had just managed to tie his own hands with mozzarella. Nathaniel looked around for a knife or something. He loved a cheesy pizza as much as the next guy, but this was a bit ridiculous. Smooth, Nate, real smooth... He glanced at Makoto, hoping she'd stay preoccupied. That's right, keep eating, Ponytail. Don't look up until I've got myself extracted from this...
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Post by Kino Makoto on Mar 16, 2009 18:11:01 GMT -5
Makoto snorted slightly at the thought of catty models. Women were naturally catty as it was, and she figured models would be worse. Somehow, she was relieved at Nathaniel’s distaste for such behavior. Though, a slight wave a jealousy crept over her at the thought of his working so closely with such women. While she embraced her own curves, she still had a bit of insecurity at being so different from other Japanese women. The differences had certainly been pointed out to her enough.
All nervousness was cast aside as Makoto seemingly stuffed her face with pizza. Realizing that she was eating entirely too quickly, she set down the remains of her slice and reached for her beer. As she took another swig, she noticed Nathaniel from the corner of her eye. Lowering the bottle from her lips, she turned her attention fully to him, or rather, what he was doing. She watched for a moment as he struggled with the gooey cheese, wrapping it around and around his fingers. It finally got to a point where she couldn’t help but laugh. “Would you like some help with that?”
She reached across the table with both hands to assist in pulling the cheese apart. It stretched into a thin string before finally giving way and breaking. She held onto one end with her left hand and used her right to help pull the excess cheese off Nathaniel’s hand. She felt a light tingle of electricity as her hand brushed his.
Makoto smiled through the wave of pain that flowed through her head as she worked to free Nathaniel of his cheesy bonds. Fortunately it had cooled enough for her to break the strand after a couple pulls. She wrapped her share of the strand around her finger, then gave a wink as she pulled it off and popped it neatly into her mouth. “That’s some pretty good cheese,” she managed to say before breaking into giggles again.
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Post by Nathaniel Bernhardt on Mar 16, 2009 19:21:23 GMT -5
He looked up, embarrassed as Makoto caught him tied up in the cheese. At least he managed not to blush like a school boy. "Uh, yeah, help would be appreciated," Nathaniel chuckled at his own expense, but felt a frisson run through him at her touch. The headache began to pulse, but he felt as if he was closer than ever, something was hinting at him as their fingers touched, and they laughed over his predicament.
And she ate the cheese! Definitely a different woman. He was sure he'd disgust her, after all his fingers were in her food, albeit accidentally. She didn't seem to mind, her eyes glinting with mischief.
"Good idea, I should have just ate the cheese off of my hand. Why didn't I think of that before?" He chewed on a string. "This will have to be our secret, okay? You're a chef, surely you know about the incredible elastic properties of mozzarella. Just don't tell anyone that Nathaniel Bernhardt was bested by cheese. I don't think my reputation could survive that." He smirked at her for a moment, a naughty thought coming to mind.
"Unless you like seeing me all tied up, Ponytail..."
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Post by Kino Makoto on Mar 16, 2009 21:01:03 GMT -5
“Secret’s safe with me!” Makoto winked again. “Though, I reserve the right to use this as blackmail should the need arise.”
She crooked an eyebrow at his next comment. “Be careful what you wish for. If I tie you up, it’s not going to be with cheese.” A light flush rose to her cheeks, and she reached for her beer again. ’Whoa, where did that come from?’ After taking another swig, she returned her attention to the pizza in front of her.
She couldn’t believe how hungry she was, or how quickly she put away her first slice. Makoto licked her finger as she finished it off and reached for a cheesy slice this time. The pizza was still quite warm and the cheese stretched from the slice to the remainder of the pie, though not as dramatically as Nathaniel’s slice had.
Makoto smiled to Nathaniel as he dug into his own slice of pizza. She was actually having a good time. The company wasn’t so bad after all… at least, not at the moment. She knew the conversation would turn more serious at some point; it had to if she was going to get any information from him. It was definitely time for another round. Deciding to wait a moment before inhaling the next slice of deliciousness, she finished off her first beer and signaled to the waiter for another one. “Would you like another as well?”
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Post by Nathaniel Bernhardt on Mar 16, 2009 21:54:38 GMT -5
"Blackmail, huh? Well aren't you a girl of many talents. I'll be sure to keep a wary eye on you..." He joked. But her flirty come-back to his quip about being tied up made even Nathaniel's eyes widen slightly.
"I don't know where you picked up these dark arts of blackmail and tying people up, but I like it..." he grinned, trying hard to not let it turn into a leer. He found himself wondering how much actual experience she had in those matters, and recalled the uncomfortable mention she made of 'Nephy' in their heated, chaotic alleyway meeting. Nathaniel shoved that thought aside. He could not deny the sense of jealousy, then or now, but he was determined not to linger on that unpleasant, slithering emotion.
"Yeah, I'll take one," he nodded at her request for another beer. She could keep up with him in drinking too; though he knew he had to be careful if he expected to drive back. Then again, he could always use the excuse of alcohol to prolong their date-- he'd say he needed some time, a walk around the block, maybe. Another alleyway kiss, maybe...
It was probably time that he start getting some answers, too, and that meant pursuing some of the subjects that made his head hurt the most. "So, what's the daily life of a sailor senshi like, anyway? You're so many things... A chef, Kino Makoto, a guard... Does it ever get confusing?"
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Post by Kino Makoto on Mar 17, 2009 0:01:23 GMT -5
Makoto caught the gleam in his eyes at her flirtatious remark. She didn’t want to appear to be throwing herself at him, but there was nothing wrong with a little flirting and witty banter, right? If anything, it would help in getting him to open up to her a bit more.
She held up her bottle with one hand and signaled with the other by holding up two fingers. She turned her attention back to her pizza and took another bite. Eating wouldn’t be a bad thing right now. She could hold her own, but the first bit of beer she’d had was on a mostly empty stomach and she was feeling the effects of it now.
Which was great timing because he’d decided to be the first to ask the serious question. “Confusing? No, not really. I’m all one in the same person. Days are spent in my office at the palace managing everything to do with the kitchens, and evenings are spent working at Lumiere. Occasionally I’ll switch up the times, like today. I worked the early shift at Lumiere, but will spend a full day at the palace tomorrow. Is it busy? Yes. Confusing? Not at all.”
The waiter placed their beers on the table and removed the empty bottles. Makoto thanked him before reaching for the fresh bottle and taking a swig. “What about you though? You only work part time, you take day trips to the mountains for star gazing, and you drag women into alleyways seeking answers to…something…” She furrowed her brows as she set the bottle back down and leaned forward towards him. He had told her in the alley that she was very familiar to him, and while she knew why, she wanted to know just how much more he knew. She only hoped he wouldn’t dance around the question again. “What exactly is it you’re looking for the answer to?”
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Post by Nathaniel Bernhardt on Mar 17, 2009 0:52:06 GMT -5
"Just seems like a lot of identities to keep up with," he remarked, hoping she wouldn't be offended. Nathaniel took a sip of his second beer before continuing, the alcohol starting to lower his inhibitions. Even without it, Makoto typically had an adverse affect on his judgment. "Maybe it's other people that have trouble keeping up." After all, she had to live her life, and there was so much about her and the rest of the senshi that they, the general public, didn't understand or know. But Nathaniel was in the position that he thought he knew more about them than he did, even though it wasn't so. That false sense of familiarity. It seemed to roll off of her in waves, now.
Especially as she leaned forward. He found himself swallowing as she asked her question. The headache was increasing enough that the lights were beginning to effect him, especially as he gazed into her eyes. "I told you then--" he slowly began to reply, his voice a little more gravelly than he had hoped, "that you seemed familiar. I want to know why, where, how I feel like I've known you before." He paused. She was a senshi, after all, perhaps she would understand mental barriers, metaphysical things, or at least not be as dismissive and skeptical of them as someone else would be. After all, she had referred him back to her priestess-friend, and Hino Rei obviously believed in it, she had seen the inside of his mind, as strange as that seemed.
"There's a mental block, and somehow you're connected to it. I want-- need to get beyond it. You're key to that. Though that's not the only reason I'm here with you." She aroused much more primal, physical senses as well as spiritual ones. Why did it hurt so much to look at her, ache in his soul and mind, and yet, why was it so blindingly thrilling at the same time?
Answers. He needed answers.
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Post by Kino Makoto on Mar 17, 2009 1:31:42 GMT -5
“I suppose you’re right. Perhaps it’s others that can’t keep up. I don’t see myself as having separate identities. I’m not Superwoman. I’m me. I just happen to be able to harness powers that other people cannot.” She shrugged. “Maybe it’s just all become so normal to me at this point that even I can’t find the differences anymore.”
She reached for her beer yet again. The conversation had indeed taken a much more serious tone. She leaned back, thinking for a moment how best to address the situation. It had been two days since their first (well, technically second) encounter and she was now armed with much more information regarding his past. The question was… how much did she want to share? He obviously knew in some way or another that they were connected. It was a reasonable explanation for the headaches they were both experiencing. She remembered small bits and pieces. She’d fainted as a memory of their past selves flitted through her mind. They’d been lovers. He’d betrayed that love and killed her. She, in turn, killed him in this life. She couldn’t just flat out spill everything.
Silently deciding on a course of action, Makoto leaned forward again. “You say you’re an Astronomer. I’m sure you’ve spent countless hours staring at the stars, the constellations… talking with them, sharing things with them, and seeking answers to all your questions…” She lowered her voice enough that Nathaniel could hear, but others would not be able to eavesdrop. “…But have you listened to them? I don’t mean astrologically, using star charts and planetary alignments and such. I mean really, truly listened.” Her eyes locked with his and she took his hand in her own. Ignoring the searing pain that permeated her skull, she gave his hand a squeeze. “You of all people should know… When you talk to the stars, they will answer you.”
Part of her knew she’d just crossed into dangerous territory; that what she’d just said could very well be all it would take for him to put two and two together and who knew what sort of havoc that could create. But the other part of her didn’t care. She was suffering from her own mental blocks and knew he was the key to her memories just as much as she was the key to his. She let go of him and sat back in her chair, her eyes never leaving his as she once again reached for her drink.
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Post by Nathaniel Bernhardt on Mar 17, 2009 16:24:01 GMT -5
All of his probing questions were quickly forgotten when Makoto leaned forward. Nathaniel's breath caught in his throat her words. She knew him. Despite her denials in the alleyway that night, to talk to him of the stars like this meant that she knew more than she had let on, up until this point. He swallowed, maintaining eye contact, sitting still as stone, though he felt his pulse increase dramatically.
His hand shot out, closing over her own as she pulled away, though her eyes had not left his. "How do you know I talk to the stars?" His voice almost seemed angry, but there was a glint of hope in his eyes. "You do know more than you said you did... You know me, somehow. Don't be vague! I've searched my whole life for answers, and you're only teasing me now..."
Nathaniel took a shaking breath, feeling a drop of cold perspiration run down the side of his face. If they continued physical contact like this, he wasn't sure he'd be able to keep seeing, the bloom of pain behind his eyes kept growing with each lingering second.
But he couldn't let go, not of her, and not of this opportunity. The Priestess had advised guided meditations and readings, to respect the barrier... To hell with that. He was almost there.
This didn't seem like the place for it, though. Their fun had taken a heavy turn so quickly. He dropped her hand, pulling away, his breathing ragged. "I have a right to know about my own life."
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Post by Kino Makoto on Mar 17, 2009 16:48:16 GMT -5
Makoto’s eyes widened as Nathaniel firmly gripped her own hand. She swallowed hard as he questioned her knowledge about him. Words were on the tip of her tongue, but her mouth had instantly turned into the Mojave, her throat completely dry.
As quickly as he’d grabbed her, he’d let her go. She watched him as he broke out into a sweat, his breathing ragged. There was an urge bubbling forth from the depths of her soul to take him in her arms and hold him and kiss him, anything to ease whatever pain he was currently feeling. Her own headache worsened as she fought off the urge that felt so right. It would be incredibly inappropriate here, and there was still too much left unspoken between them.
Half the pizza was still uneaten. Their drinks remained mostly full. Yet Makoto quickly called over the waiter to wrap up the remainder of the meal and to bring the check. She turned her attention back to Nathaniel after the waiter had cleared their table. Finally finding her voice, she spoke again. “I think we need to find somewhere a little less… public… to continue this conversation.”
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Post by Nathaniel Bernhardt on Mar 17, 2009 18:40:02 GMT -5
Nathaniel nodded in agreement, grabbing his beer and taking a long swig before the waiter cleared the table. He was glad that Makoto was taking charge; he needed the drink to clear his dry throat, though his voice didn't seem to work that much better even after he had a drink.
"I don't think I can drive," he admitted. With his headache, the alcohol, and the fact that he seemed to reluctant to break eye contact with her, getting behind the wheel at the moment would be reckless.
"We can take a cab. My place?" he asked, pulling out his wallet and dropping his Amex down, making sure to write the waiter a generous tip. It wasn't public, and frankly, he was sure if they went anywhere else he would have a hard time getting home. Nathaniel didn't expect her to invite him back to 'her place', that was the Palace, which was public in its own way. Besides, he didn't think that Super Cop would be all that happy to see him hanging on Makoto, especially after he had been drinking.
"Sorry to cut this short, Ponytail," he managed to crack a smile, despite the headache. They had been having a good time. "I'll make it up to you."
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Post by Kino Makoto on Mar 17, 2009 19:14:38 GMT -5
“I’m sure the car will be fine in the garage here. This is a pretty safe part of town.” Makoto wasn’t sure she would have felt comfortable with him driving in his condition anyways. Alcohol or not, he didn’t appear to be well enough to drive.
As he filled out the receipt, she stood and grabbed her coat. “Don’t worry, there’s plenty left over that we can finish off at your place.” His place… Well, it certainly wasn’t a public area but it still had its own dangers. She was definitely feeling the alcohol, but still had her wits about her. If anything came up, she was sure she could handle it. Or at least, she hoped so.
She noticed a small wobble as he stood as well. Before she knew what she was doing, she had stepped over beside him and had an arm wrapped around him to assist in guiding him to the door. Though her headache raged, she couldn’t help but notice how well her body fit beside his. She shook the thought from her mind as they exited the restaurant and hailed a cab.
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